MEIL Secures Major Tunnel & Elevated Road Contracts on Thane–Bhayandar Corridor
May 20, 2025 | TezUpdate
In a major boost to Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s road infrastructure, Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd. (MEIL) has emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for the construction of a 5.5 km underground road tunnel connecting Gaimukh (Thane) to Fountain Hotel Junction (Bhayandar).
The project is being executed under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and is part of a larger plan to decongest the heavily burdened Ghodbunder Road (MH SH-42)—one of the most critical yet congested road corridors in the region.
Project Overview: Two Mega Components, One Objective
The overall project spans 15.5 km and is divided into two major infrastructure components:
1️⃣ Underground Road Tunnel (5.5 km)
- Location: Gaimukh (Thane) to Fountain Hotel Junction (Bhayandar)
- Contractor: Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd. (MEIL)
- Construction Period: 54 months
(Includes environmental approvals, statutory clearances & monsoon delays) - Defect Liability Period (DLP): 24 months
- Likely Construction Method: Deployment of at least one mega Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)
While detailed technical specifications such as lane configuration and tunnel diameter have not been officially disclosed, the scale and cost strongly indicate a high-capacity urban road tunnel.
2️⃣ Elevated Road (Approx. 10 km)
- Location: Fountain Hotel Junction to Bhayandar
- Contractor: MEIL – Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) JV
- Scope: Design and construction of an elevated road parallel to Ghodbunder Road
This elevated corridor is expected to act as a fast bypass, separating long-distance and through-traffic from local traffic.
Financial Bid Results
🛠️ Tunnel Contract (5.5 km)
| Bidder | Bid Value (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|
| MEIL | 9019.53 |
| Navayuga Engineering Co. Ltd. | 9513.21 |
| Afcons Infrastructure Ltd. | 9711.00 |
Brief Scope:
Design and construction of an underground road tunnel from Gaimukh to Fountain Hotel Junction on Thane Ghodbunder Road.
🛣️ Elevated Road Contract (≈10 km)
| Bidder | Bid Value (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|
| MEIL – HCC JV | 6163.34 |
| Navayuga Engineering Co. Ltd. | 6439.48 |
Brief Scope:
Design and construction of an elevated road from Fountain Hotel Junction (Thane) to Bhayandar.
⚠️ MMRDA’s official cost estimates for both packages have not been made public yet.
Additional Scope: New Creek Bridge
The tunnel package also includes the construction of a new Gaimukh – Payegaon Creek Bridge, which will:
- Disperse traffic efficiently
- Provide direct connectivity to the 126 km Virar–Alibaug Multi-Modal Corridor
- Strengthen east-west movement across the region
Why This Project Matters
Ghodbunder Road is:
- Narrow
- Winding
- Overloaded with heavy vehicles, especially at night
This project is not optional—it’s overdue.
Once completed, the tunnel-elevated road combination is expected to:
- Cut travel time drastically
- Reduce accident risk
- Improve freight and commuter movement between Thane and the western suburbs
Third Major Road Tunnel Near SGNP
This will be the third major road tunnel in and around Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP):
- 5.5 km Gaimukh – Fountain Hotel Tunnel (MMRDA)
- 10.8 km Borivali – Thane Tunnel (MMRDA)
- 6.3 km Goregaon – Mulund Link Road Tunnel (MCGM/BMC)
Together, these projects mark a clear shift toward subsurface urban mobility solutions in Mumbai’s eco-sensitive zones.
Disclaimer
⚠️ Disclaimer – TezUpdate
The information provided in this article is based on publicly available tender documents, official statements, and credible infrastructure reports available at the time of publication. Project specifications, bid values, timelines, and scope are subject to change as per decisions taken by MMRDA or other statutory authorities.
TezUpdate does not guarantee absolute accuracy and shall not be held responsible for any discrepancies arising due to future updates or official revisions. This content is published strictly for informational and general awareness purposes and should not be treated as legal, financial, or professional advice.
Readers are advised to verify details from official MMRDA notifications and government sources before relying on this information.
